Matters of the mind

A new service is launched for mental health awareness. FARZANA SHAKIR reports.

Share and care. That is the catchphrase of Mindmirror, the first free mental health awareness service for the subcontinent community in Sydney.

Launched on 2 October, the event coincided with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi who famously said, “There is nothing that wastes the body like worry”.

In addition it promoted the Mental Health Month which is celebrated in October.

The service is the brainchild of Shweta Saxena, an India-trained clinical psychologist currently working as a volunteer coordinator for Mental Health Professionals Network.

Mental health disorder affects one in five adults every year in Australia and since Indians are the third largest ethnic group here, Shweta believes it is probable for all Indians here that someone close to them might be affected directly or indirectly, be it in the family, friends or workmates.

After heart disease and cancer, mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues in Australia. And with so much stress on increasing awareness and providing support for mental health sufferers and their families in Australia, was there really a need for another such service?

“I felt there was a void in the system for a platform especially for the Indian families in Sydney,” Shweta noted. “There is room for a service whereby community members can address their mental health issues in a setting closer to their own culture, where they can get professional advice in their own language, referrals to relevant specialists, information about the services available, form a community network and generally become aware of their mental well being”.

Shweta plans to organise one group session of Mindmirror every month in which professionals in the field of mental health will be invited to give talks. She pointed out that though Mindmirror has been founded with the aim to benefit Indian Australians, members of all communities are welcome to avail of the services offered.

“Anyone who has concerns about their mental health can contact us, even a child. The service is for the public in general but I think the section benefitting most from it would be the new migrants from India who typically go through adjustment problems, anxiety and depression during their initial five years in Australia. These if left unaddressed can lead to bigger mental health issues and in many cases substance abuse.”

Shweta believes that the reasons why many people don’t seek professional help for mental health problems could be myriad, but the most common ones seem to be stigmatization, lack of awareness of what help is available and not knowing where to go for help.

“This is where Mindmirror comes in. Our aim is to help bring awareness and address these problems by signposting the way to promotion of mental health, providing information about the help available in local suburbs and promoting general health and well being.”

At the Oct 2 launch, there were four talk sessions by professionals. Dr Neeta Waje highlighted the importance of an open relationship with your GP. Andrew Reid, Community Development Coordinator with the Smith Family spoke about settlement services available for Indians.

‘We are here for you’ was the topic of Shelley Sha’s speech. Shelley is the Coordinator for Respite Services SFNSW.

Anita Harris, Registered Psychologist at Psych Central talked about mental illnesses and stigmatization.

And then there was the ‘Unworry and be Happy’ session by the founder of Mindmirror Shweta Saxena, who will act as the wellness trainer and assessor for the group.

“The overwhelming response to the launch of Mindmirror by the community is very encouraging,” Shweta said later. “Participants attended the launch event in more numbers than expected. We disbursed information about mental health resources to some 42 people that day”.

A number of community dignitaries attended, including UIA President Aruna Chandrala and BVB Australia head Gambhir Watts. There were goody bags, brochures, booklets, CDs, flyers and refreshments on offer. Activities on mental health, case study scenarios and videos kept the participants entertained during the program.

The event ended on a light note with the laughter therapy. In keeping with Gandhiji’s message of dispelling the darkness the diya was lighted at the end of the ceremony, symbolising that by the end of the event, the light of awareness of mental health was successfully achieved.

Shweta maintained she is very passionate about mental health and this project is something very close to her heart.

“Come care and share, open up, address your problems, network with others and get help: as single we break, and together we make. There is so much help and support available in Australia – come forward and benefit from the services at hand.”

Shweta disclosed that her concept has attracted approval with requests for similar groups to be initiated in Canberra and Melbourne as well. In the meantime to keep up with the demands she has started a blog where readers can post their problems, doubts and queries related to mental health and mental illnesses. http://mindmirror4u.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/are-you-minding-your-mind/